HUNGER DOESN'T TAKE THE WEEKEND OFF.

When kids don’t get enough to eat, they can’t concentrate and they can’t learn. Teachers tell of students excited to be at school on Mondays because they can eat there through federal programs. But these same children in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) often go hungry on weekends or during school breaks.​

Pantry Packs powered by the Lake Washington Schools Foundation provides weekend packs of food for more than 850 LWSD students each week who are identified as being “food insecure.”

With community donations of time, funds and kid-friendly food, 40-50 volunteers come together each month to “pack the packs.” Volunteer drivers then deliver the packs to more than 40 participating schools, and each week school coordinators distribute the packs to hungry children in preschool through high school. Throughout the school year, Pantry Packs demonstrates how volunteers, schools and the community work together to help children in our area. For more information, email PantryPacks@lwsf.org.

YOU CAN HELP!

​HOLD A FOOD DRIVE: Pantry Packs is in need of a lot of kid-friendly meal and snack items. You could do a drive for just one food from our kid-friendly food items list. We have a planning checklist with more information, and our Food Drive Coordinator is available to help you organize your food drive. For more information, email PantryPacks@lwsf.org.

PLEASE BRING FOOD DONATIONS DIRECTLY TO HOPELINK. Pantry Packs donations should be dropped off only on Mondays from 1 - 5 pm and Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9:30 am - noon. Be sure to use the Food Donation Submission Form on all boxes and bags when dropping off at Hopelink's Kirkland warehouse at 11011 120th Ave. NE. Please call or text Ron at Hopelink at 425-429-0946 to alert him prior to your delivery.

​PACK THE PACKS: Join other volunteers in assembling Pantry Packs. Bring a friend. Bring your middle and high schoolers for community service hours. Bring a PTA/PTSA. Bring a scout troop. Bring a school honors club. Student volunteers must be accompanied by an adult, and all volunteers must sign up online to participate. Check the Packing Party Instructions to sign up; note that we're limited to 50 volunteers per packing party, and these opportunities fill up quickly.​ Sign up via the Open Spot Volunteer Form to be notified of future volunteer opportunities as they arise.

We welcome the donation of funds to purchase the food we need at the best possible price. Please visit our donation page for electronic donations or mail a check written to "LWSF-Pantry Packs" to:Lake Washington Schools FoundationPO Box 83, Redmond, WA 98073​Remember that your donations may be matched by your employer, and consider making a recurring donation...because hunger is recurring!

Simply order the food items you wish to donate and your order will be shipped directly to Lake Washington Schools Foundation and designated for Pantry Pack’s use! Some items even have an optional “subscribe and save” option to set a recurring donation. Remember to include your name and address in the "note" so that we can properly record your donation and issue you a receipt.

When a community comes together, its members can solve the most pressing problems. Join us to solve student hunger in the Lake Washington School District.